Category Archives: Authors

I’ve mentioned my friend and critique partner, Azure Boone, several times here on the blog. I’ve told you she’s an amazing writer, and a wonderful person. Well, today, you get to meet the lady herself! I know you’ll be as crazy about her as I am. Please join me in welcoming Azure Boone, in her guise as the…

Kenra: So, Azure, readers have to know – what the hell *is* a motherfugnwriter?

Azure: Well, it’s a title for the Mother and Wife Writer. The –fugn- part (which I’ve told my husband is German for love and pronounced few-gen, LOL) represents two things to me: that thing we do as “wives”, and the bad-ass women we actually ARE. The original phrase was “Mother Fucking Writer”. But, virgin ears and all….

Kenra: Let’s all hope Azure’s hubby never gets curious enough to look that word up! Or mention it to someone who knows German… Azure, what made you start motherfugnwriters?

Azure: Umm, well, mainly to form a cyber-place where mom/wife writers could relax and meet other women they could relate to. Motherfugnwriters often feel alone, despite having children. We’re behind the scenes doing all the necessary shit nobody else wants to do. I thought it would be nice to have a place where we could let our hair down – maybe even cuss a lot, since we play a saint all day long.

We talk about the things we don’t have anyone else to talk to about. Which is one of the reasons my posts are often of a “wifely/writerly” nature, as well as motherly.

Kenra: Tell us about this Zazzle store you’ve been burning the midnight oil to set up.

Azure: I create products that would make great gifts for writers – T-shirts, mugs, hats and shit with funny writer slogans that highlight the secret and alien life of Writers. So I decided to set them up in an online store.

Kenra: What inspires your posts? Some of them are a bit… ahem… unique.

Azure: Gosh, my posts seem to be PMS inspired I think. Like a random stream of conscious, wherever my life takes me, that’s what’s getting posted. I usually keep it geared to Writing, which is easy, since it’s what I love doing and studying.

Kenra: What do you do in real life? What’s your day-in-the-life of a MFW?

Azure: Well it’s LOUD, for one thing. I have 8 kids, 9 if I count my grandson. But don’t panic, 3 of them take care of themselves, so that leaves me with… err 5, sometimes 6. I home school 3, soon to be 4, of the 5 right now. The challenge, which I’ve kinda overcome, was juggling it all.

We all work together. My kids do laundry – yes, washing, drying, and folding – they do dishes, everything except mop the floors and clean the toilets, in fact.

Kenra: What 3 of your posts would you most like to share with readers here?

Kenra: One final thing. Azure’s Paranormal Romance, Devil Wants A China Doll, will soon be available. Her main character, Rone, is possessed by the demon of Lust and Rage. He manages to live life because he has a psychic shield that prevents the demon from contaminating anyone he has contact with – important because the demon can make a person commit suicide by sex. Then he meets Sheeku, with big problems of her own. Sheeku bypasses Rone’s shields and lives to tell the tale. For a while, anyway.

Azure, will you share a little with us?

Azure: You know I will! This is a make-up scene, after Sheeku thinks Rone cheated on her with another woman.

I kissed her teary cheek softly.

Her hand was suddenly in my hair, sliding on my face.

Oh God, no, please… don’t do that. Not now, I won’t stop…

She slowly turned her face to me and no force in Heaven could move me away. And there she was, staring up at me with glittery blue eyes, offering a chance to redeem myself. Make it better, please do it. Make it better.

The burning stab in my chest combined with the fire in my groin. I closed my eyes. Shield was on tight, but what if this was the demon’s doing?

She slowly sat up and my body matched her every move, magnetized, trapped in her pull. So much need to fill, and pain to erase. And she wanted me to do it. The nice guy with the soul-eating devil.

I could only watch as she put her hands on my shoulders and climbed into my lap, facing me. My hands clamped on her waist as heat bolts shot through my groin. I wrapped her in a hard embrace, wanting to feel her completely, no, prevent her from doing more, prevent me from ripping her clothes off.

I pressed my face to her chest, listening to the frantic life calling for me. I embraced her closer, wanting her to be real. Fuck, she was, she was so real.

In one push, the buried man inside me broke free. I dug hungry fingers into firm muscle at the junction of her jeaned thighs. Her breath drew in sharp and the sound struck the demon’s cell. The demon struck back hard, and I strained my mind, solidifying the quiver in his cell while sliding my hands slowly and firmly up, feeling her body beneath the light t-shirt.

I wanted that satiny skin beneath it more than ever. “Sheeku.” My fingertips pressed on their way back down. Down, until I filled my hands with her perfect ass. I squeezed hard and pressed her tight to my stomach.

“Rone.”

The desire in her voice slammed me with terror. I waited for her to call my demon’s name next.

She didn’t.

My hands surged back up her body, the man in me knowing the time was short. He hurried to take before being locked away, one hand pressing those perfectly shaped breasts into my chest, those bite-me nipples driving me to the point of orgasm. Hunger purred up my throat as I wrapped the base of her hair with trembling fingers.

I pulled her head back and stared at her slender neck. Her nails dug into my shoulder blades and desire raced on fiery currents through my veins. I studied the creamy column. She was life and I would die if I didn’t taste her. Just once.

I opened my mouth and leaned with a groan. I licked the satin, slow and hard. Salty… sweet… fucking delicious. “Sheeeeeku,” I breathed into her neck.

Please join me in welcoming our very first Spotlight Author, Robin Badillo! As a member of my blogging network, she took pity on me when I mentioned that I needed Spotlight guests. 😀 Robin is a multi-published Paranormal Romance author, and a very busy lady.

Robin Badillo

Check this out, and you’ll see why her Midnight Beckoning just hit my TBR list!

Ford Lenox, a natural born damphyr, waited three hundred years for the phenomenon of his birth to be repeated. Many had been conceived. Many had even been born. But only a few made it to their twenty-first birthday. And none shared the same requirements as he, to assume their rightful place at his side and become his queen.

Until now.

Lauren Neil was born three hundred years to the day after Ford’s birth, and it was no coincidence that he found her only days before her twenty-first birthday. Little did she know that the damphyr lurking beneath her human surface was about to be unleashed, prominently placing her on the throne to rule over damphyr and vampire alike.

Lauren’s demonic sire slash father, Drago, an incubus, straight from the pits of hell, has other plans.

Can Ford fulfill the prophecy and save Lauren and their kind? Or will a new species be created to rule the world?

Even a match made in heaven, may have to go through hell to survive!

Buy Midnight Beckoning!

Robin, I’m thrilled you could be with us today! And thanks for your patience while I worked out details and glitches, LOL. Let’s get started, shall we? Sooner or later, every writer gets this one, and I’m sure you have, as well. Where do your ideas come from?

My ideas come to me in many shapes and forms. Most of them start out as a conversation in my head. Yes, I am one of “those” people who hear voices, but more importantly, or disturbing, depending on how you look at it, I am one of those people who actually listen and even answer back.

Once the scene is set into motion, faces, names, descriptions, angst, dilemmas and every other aspect of writing a romance story somehow falls into place. Having the issue or problem up front and center gives me the foundation to build a story around. So far, it’s working well for me.

How long did you work on Midnight Beckoning?

Midnight Beckoning took about two months to complete, edit, re-edit and tighten up.

There is a long, drawn out process after the publisher gets their hands on it, but the initial timeframe is pretty typical for most of my books.

What makes Midnight Beckoning different from others in the same sub-genre?

I always say that Midnight Beckoning has everything, but the kitchen sink. This is the first time I’ve added other paranormal entities to a story other than vampires. In this story, the main characters are Damphyr. Midnight Beckoning also has vampires, incubi, folklore, legends, Biblical indications and possibly an angel or two. Yep, that just about covers everything, but the kitchen sink.

Do you have a person, perhaps an actor or model, etc., in mind when you picture your characters? How do you decide who the character will be – all the little bits and pieces that go into a person, not just appearance?

For most of my novels, I hunt and search hundreds of stock photos and actors and actresses until one jumps out at me. I generally have an idea in my head such as build, hair color and ethnicity, so when browsing the internet for that perfect man or woman, I sort of know what to look for. Other detailed characteristics like personality, accents or attitude, develop as the story unfolds. Each character has their own way of relaying their voice to me and I do my best to pay attention and get it right.

Who influenced or encouraged you to write, and when?

Two people have influenced me more than any other people in my life when it comes to writing. My daughter, Brittany, loved vampire novels and was crazy about Twilight. I loved the series, too and it proved to be a great way to bond with her over a similar interest. That’s not always easy when dealing with teenagers.

My first trilogy was more of a young adult genre and set me on the path to what I currently write now. The best part of it though, is that at age 16, my daughter is already writing her own book and I can’t wait to see what comes of it.

My best friend, Kim Esparza, was also a great influence because she would get so excited when I sent her a new chapter. Having her squeal over the phone about a direction I had taken a character and clamoring for more of the story, was amazing motivation. She also helped me get my foot through the door by introducing me to a published author she already knew. She’s not only been my dearest friend, she’s also been my inspiration to persevere and keep on keepin’ on!!

I am truly blessed.

You truly are blessed! We wish Brittany all the best with her writing, too. I wish we had more time today, but maybe you’ll join us again soon. Best of luck with your books, Robin!

Beginning next week, on Friday, January 20th, I’m going to implement a new blog feature.

Every Friday, I’ll feature a different author, blog, website, or resource, for In The Spotlight.

Author Guidelines

If you would like to be a Spotlight Author, here’s what you need to know:

You need to be published – Traditional, Digital First, Indie, or Self Pub – in any Romance Sub-Genre, though preference is given to Paranormal Romance and Urban Fantasy. Your work can be novel-length or novella, or a short story anthology, and must be geared toward Adult Readers (No Young Adult), of any heat level, from sweet to erotic. {Straight or Gay is okay, as long as the Romance is the central. Kink is acceptable, as long as sexual situations are safe, sane, consensual, and the Romance is central. [Standard No-Nos apply: No rape as arousing, no pedophilia, necrophilia (vampires don’t count), bodily wastes as arousing, bestiality (shape shifters don’t count)]} The content of your Spotlight post must be no more than R-rated (no Xs), with no full-frontal nudity.

Each Friday, an Author Spotlight will run on my blog, posting early Friday morning and staying up until Sunday morning. As a featured author, you can choose from doing an author interview; a character interview; a joint author/character interview; a guest post (500-800 word range); an excerpt (500-1500 word range); and/or a giveaway. If there’s something else you’d prefer to do, just let me know. You’re welcome to include cover images, buy links, your links (blog, website, social media, etc), a back cover blurb, and your author photo. The Friday your feature runs can be scheduled to coincide with a book release or other event. I’ll need the materials for your feature no later than the end of the day on Tuesday before your feature runs. I will send you the short link to your feature by end of the day Thursday so you can promote it as well.

You are responsible for helping to promote your Spotlight post, using non-spammy methods (no more than 4 linked updates in 24 hours for each social media platform), and links on your (and others’) site/blog. After the post runs, you are welcome to leave up links on your blog/site, and continue to use it in your promo.

Currently, each post here is visited 250-300 times. 135 members of my blogging network ReTweet the announcement Tweet for each post to just over 208K unique Twitter followers.

Still interested? Email me at kenradaniels AT gmail DOT com, with Spotlight in the subject line.

Guidelines for Blogs, Websites, and Online Resources

If your blog or website features original content that is relevant to authors, writing, books, or readers in Urban Fantasy or any Romance sub-genre (preference given to Paranormal Romance), you could be my next Spotlight feature.

The majority of the content must be actual original content, not quotes from other sites or resources, and not announcements of winners, etc. The content can be fiction, non-fiction, excerpts, reviews, articles, serialized works, etc. Some personal content is okay, but must not be the sole focus.

Your feature post will be the link to the blog/site, and a guest post, or other format previously agreed on, on whatever subject we agree on as the arrangements are made. You may include social media links, an image of your header or logo, your photo, your tagline and description. Content of your Spotlight post must be no more than R-rated, with no full-frontal nudity.

You are responsible for helping to promote your Spotlight post, using non-spammy methods (no more than 4 linked updates in 24 hours for each social media platform), and links on your (and others’) site/blog. After the post runs, you are welcome to leave up links on your blog/site, and continue to use it in your promo.

Currently, each post here is visited 250-300 times. 135 members of my blogging network ReTweet the announcement Tweet for each post to just over 208K unique Twitter followers.

Still interested? Email me at kenradaniels AT gmail DOT com, with Spotlight in the subject line.

*Note: These guidelines may change at any time without notice. I reserve the right to refuse to publish material I find objectionable, or believe my followers/readers will find objectionable.